COMMITTEB PROCEEDINGS
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'l'he Joint Legislative Task Force on Diabetes Prevention and Awareness (201l) met
three times after the 201I Regular Session. The following is a brief summary of the Task
Force's proceedings. Detailed minutes and information from each Task Force meeting are
available in the Legislative Library.
February l5,20tz
The Joint Legislative Task Force on Diabetes Prevention and Awareness met
Wednesday, February 1,5,201.2, in Room 643 of the Legislative Office Building at 10:00 AM.
f'he Frst presentation was made by Jrm Straight, Executive Director for Eastern North
(larolina, .\merican l)iabetes Associauon (ADA). I\{r. Straight spoke regarding the national
pcrspectlve of diabctes and r.'arious poho, actions the ADA has supported nationally and
within North Carolina. N{r. Straight explained the mission of the ADA, which includes
increased fundtng for drabetes prevention, treatment, and research; prevenuon of drabetes;
increased availabiltty of health care; and elrmination of discrimination against people with
diabetes, Mr. Straight presented a vafiety of statisucs to the Task Force rcgardtng the effects
of diabetes in North Carohna.
The Task Force then heatd fiom Dr. Joe I{onen, Chair of the Diabetes Advisory
Council. Dr. I{onen shared with the Task Force vadous statistics surrounding drabetes in
North Carolina, including highlighting trends seen across the State within the past several
vears. Dr. I(onen explained the history of the Diabetes Advisory Council, as well as its goals
of partnering on environmental and poltcv changes, promoting health systems changes
through w<>rk such as its Iirdney Project, and hnkrng the community with clirucal services.
'l'he Diabetes Advisory Councrl is one of the bodies responsible for the Statewide Plan for
l)iabetes Prevention and Control. The Diabeuc Strategic Plan currendy adopted runs from
201,1-201,5, and a copy of the plan was provided to all Task Force members, Dr. I(onen
highlighted the following aspects of the State Plan: encouragement of collaboration between
local health departments and community health centers to funprove clinical care and to
increase access to diabetes education, encouragement of intra-agency partnerships,
encouragement of partnership with other health-related programs, and encoufagement of
data collection and distribution that prompts action on the social determinations of health'
Finally, upon questioning by the Task Force, the Task Force was made aw^re that the
l)iabetes .\dvison' Council has been having some difhculty meeting on a regular basis due to
br,rclgct arl c()nccrns.
'I'he third presentatlon to the 'I'ask [,'orce came from N{anan Shah, Senior Associate of
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy at Novo Nordisk. Mr. Shah spoke about the future
population and economic impact of diabetes on North Catohna. Mr. Shah also presented
statistical information on the rise of diabetes in Noth Catolina, as well as figures
surrounding various diabetic complications and death rates and the cost of diabetes to the
State.
Joint Legislative Task Force on Diabetes Prevention and Awareness (201l) Page 7